NPOs: Mental health advocates
JOBURG - The South African Depression and Anxiety Group works with metal health patients.
News that 36 psychiatric patients, who were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni earlier this year who died in the care of NPOs, where the Gauteng health department placed them, shook South Africa, last week.
https://twitter.com/Unathi_Kwaza/status/776289064391700480
The South African Depression and Anxiety Group (Sadag) is a support network for thousands of South Africans who live with mental health problems. The non-profit organisation says it is “…making mental health matter…” Its Website reads: “Sadag manages a 16-line counselling-and-referral call centre, and is the voice of patient advocacy, working in urban, peri-urban, and the most rural communities across South Africa. Sadag is at the forefront of patient advocacy, education and destigmatisation of mental illness in the country. Its expertise lies in assisting patients and callers throughout South Africa with mental health queries.”
I am calling for Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to resign over deaths of 36 psychiatric patients. Retweet if you agree #MahlanguResign
— Jack Bloom (@JackBloomDA) September 15, 2016
Like Sadag, the UK-based charity, Mind, provides support and empowers anyone who is experiencing a mental health problem. Take a look at people who talk about what it’s like to live with a mental health problem, and what helps them cope, in a video uploaded by Mind.
According to Sadag, currently, it is estimated that one in five people will, or do, suffer from a mental illness.
Source: www.sadag.org.za
Details: Sadag Mental Health Line on 011 234 4837 and www.mind.org.uk
